ravindran

Yes, a literal reading of Lord's prayer would make it sound contradicting with James. So I do agree with Pope that the translation is not best here. But I don't think the intent of the scripture is to even talk about temptation.

And just to add on. I don't agree with Pope's translation though! The intent of the scripture is not to say please help us not to face temptation. The actual Greek word used for temptation is translated as (a) trial, probation, testing, being tried, (b) temptation, (c) calamity, affliction. The prayer is asking Lord to lead us not into trials, calamity or affliction. But rather deliver us from evil.

For once I have to agree with the Pope! And frankly, people are giving an incorrect headline to the news. He is not really changing Lord's prayer. He is asking to consider the real meaning and questioning whether the English translation is rendering the right interpretation. If someone would ask us to explain, we would say Oh Lord never tempts a person (and quote James). And we would say "what the Scripture really says here is...". Pope is saying why not just say what we actually intent to say!

Jesus did not come to start a new religion. Jesus is the fulfillment of entire OT. That is why Bible has both OT and NT. Entire Scripture points towards Jesus. And in general, Jesus did not come to just show another way to heaven just like other religions. Jesus said "I am THE WAY". He made is very clear that He is the only way. There is no way a person can say I follow Jesus and still believe there are other ways to heaven. The person is not a true follower of Jesus in that case. Exclusivity is something unique in Bible. Most of the other religions are inclusive. Because they only explain sin. They do not explain a sufficient remedy (important - sufficient. They all give some remedy which is not sufficient and they do acknowledge that). Bible is the only Holy Book which explains sin nature of humans and provides sufficient remedy. Which is faith in Jesus Christ

You can quote many verses to show that time is immaterial to God. Will that change his belief? I don't think so. Atheists like to engage in these debates with an intent to put believers down. To put us down that they are superior to us in knowledge. While they lack true knowledge of God. And how does he explain why God can't exist before time? What is the argument for that? There would be none.

I think the qualifications laid out for a deacon is a strong case against polygamy. Paul gives qualifications for a deacon and one of them is "husband of one wife". While this was a qualification laid specifically for leaders, it simply reflects the standard of holiness required to serve the Lord. In Christ, everyone is the same. And these standards are pretty much applicable for every believer. Everyone is a servant of the Lord. Considering this, polygamy is not a standard acceptable in the presence of Lord. There are certain things which need not be explicitly stated in the Bible to be considered immoral. Even non-believers, atheists, people of other faith all predominantly agree that polygamy is immoral.

This would be a personal choice. I do not understand why someone would insist only burying. It's not like their body is preserved forever! Worms would eventually eat them away and nothing would be left. Still Lord will resurrect "All believers".

Actually the loud music could cause hearing damage and even hearing loss. Our ears can only take certain amount of sound. I do not find any good reason to have such loud music or light show. I guess they do it to "attract" people. But I find it more of a distraction. Loud music, light shows, keep repeating words - People think this is a great way of worship, unfortunately!

This is from the article. Sounds more like New Age doctrines. Her congregation was part of "New Thought Christianity," a philosophy that dates to the 1800s and emphasizes the teachings of Jesus, practical principles of a liberal form of Christianity and an openness to metaphysics and other philosophical thought, according to the Religion News Service.

When it comes to animals, there is really no need to microchip them. I know there are lot of animals that carry some sort of device with them to track their movements. May be the intent is to test on animals before introducing in humans. But the technology is already tested and available. Not sure why they would do that as well.

This is exactly what we do in our Church. We are a small Church and most of us know each other personally very well. So there are occasions when a male might feel it is better to lay hands on female for prayer and vice-versa. But let's say there is someone who is a bit new, it would not happen. Yowm makes a very good point. It also has to do with comfort feeling of the person. For example, I am very sure my wife would not be comfortable when men lay hands on her, whom she does not know very well.

After marriage, there should be nothing that can come between husband and wife. They have become one flesh. Even friendship. Today many couple create separation in their marriages in the name of "needing own space". Without realizing, the space keeps increasing and separates them forever. Loving couples should always strive to close the space as much as possible and not try to create space between them.

I agree with above Gandalf. I wouldn't call them as cult. Again, cult is a loosely used term. Any unorthodox belief is often called as cult. I like the definition quoted by gotquestions for what a cult means. Going by that definition, I wouldn't call Amish people as cults. They have extreme views on certain things - using modern technology, mixing with people outside of their community, education, etc. https://www.gotquestions.org/cult-definition.html I visit Amish community often in Lancaster PA. Found many positive things as well. There are certainly many good things we can learn from them

I did not say whether dating is right or wrong. Original poster did not ask whether dating is biblical or not. Seems like the question was only about books on dating. Probably you should address this with the original poster

I am pretty sure there would be numerous books on dating. The bigger question is, are they of any use? I would say they would not be of much use.

Would it matter if we give an explanation on the context of the verse?

God does use dreams to give us assurances of His promises and also remind us of the future proclaimed through His Word. While there is nothing else to be added to the Scripture, God does remind us to show what is coming down the line. It might be for you to pray for the students or the entire school system to not fall into deception of the devil.

The Proverbs talk about 2 different situations. One in which we should answer and the other one in which we should not. How do we know which situation we are in? Pray about it and Holy Spirit will lead you and will exactly let you know what to do

I can understand. I come from India. There is an app from YouVersion. You can download Bible versions to be read offline. In this way, you are not using up data each time. You can download while connected to some WiFi network.

Hello sister. Your best chance would be to visit a nearby Church and request for a Bible. I am pretty sure they would be able to help. That is probably your best chance of getting Bible in Hindi. if you were in US, many folks here could have easily mailed one. But it's not going to work for someone in India.

I guess this is what he is referring to Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution

Discrimination based on gender, caste, ethnicity - I am pretty sure these are not okay However, I do see the point that it would be legal. The 14th amendment is there to avoid discrimination between government and the people. I don't think it adequately addresses what happens between people. But if government does not interfere in the other forms of discrimination, who else would control? How else we can be assured that we don't go back to practices of centuries old?

Bible does not say anything against cremation. It would be more of a personal preference and heavily influenced by culture. I come from India where all hindus go for cremation. But Indian Christians are completely against it simply because it is a practice of Hindus! It is driven more from culture perspective rather than being backed by Scripture. Below link gives a good read. https://www.gotquestions.org/cremation-Bible.html

Amen! My pastor would tell something very similar. He would tell some jokes and make the congregation feel a bit comfortable.

There are 2 sides to this. What if the Church had a nice nursery and the parents are either not letting their kids go there to be with other children or being with the kids in the nursery? If the Church provides everything they can to take care of kids outside of the service, then it is not right on the parents to let the children disturb the service. It shows lack of responsibility by parents. It is definitely a distraction. There is no question about that. And I am a father of 2 little kids. I very well know how kids can be troublesome. If there is no nursery, the congregation cannot expect some magic by parents to keep the kids quiet! We meet in a small place and have room for Sunday class but no separate nursery. When little kids cry, the best we can do is take them to back of the Church. Everyone understands and we never had a problem with the noise.